Law, crime and regulation

Auctioneers and dealers should prepare for the end of credit card surcharges from January 2018, a business trade body has warned.

Chargebacks exist as a means of satisfying the extensive consumer protections provided by UK law – largely the Consumer Rights Act of 2015 and the Consumer Credit Acts of 1974 and 2006.

The ownership of a Persian limestone relief sculpture from Persepolis is under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office after it was seized from the stand of Rupert Wace Ancient Art at TEFAF New York.

The rise of payment using debit and credit cards for art and antiques comes with the challenge of chargebacks. Andrew Saunders reports on how these can be tackled

The card providers contacted by ATG were reticent on the subject of chargebacks, although we did receive this statement from Mastercard UK:

MADAM – One would not expect a leading broadsheet to indulge in fake news, yet this regrettably occurred at the conclusion of a report in 'The Times' on ivory poaching by Aislinn Laing, who writes from Nairobi: “This month the UK announced the closure of its legal market in antique ivory” (October 25).

Dorchester auctioneer Duke’s said it has changed its due diligence procedures after advertising fake works it claimed were by Cornish artist Alfred Wallis (1855-1942).

The Consumer Credit Act provisions enable an aggrieved consumer buyer to make a claim against the credit card company for any breach of contract or misrepresentation by the retailer or trader.

Tips on avoiding and dealing with fraudulent chargebacks...

Tips on staying ahead when it comes to chargebacks...